Cry to Jesus

S - Scripture
Psalm 34 v. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

O - Observation
Deliverer. What a great adjective for Jesus! He delivers us from so much. Romans 7 v. 24 -25a, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Jesus delivers us from the Gates of Hell. He delivers us from our sinful self. The Bible has countless examples in the old testament where the Israelite are under attack, in captivity, in a bad situation, and he hears their plea for help and saves them. I think it’s interesting to note, its when they (the righteous) cry for help. It’s when they are desperate that they fully commit themselves to depending upon the Lord. God uses the weak, a bad situation, to reflect his glory.
 
A - Application
Have I been delivered by Jesus?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Deliver me from my sinful self.  Love Will

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Taste God's word on a Daily Basis

S - Scripture
Psalm 34 v. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is Good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!

O - Observation
You can have your cake and eat it to! Jesus wants us to "eat" him up. He wants us to "taste" his words, his wisdom, his insight. 2 Timothy 3 v. 16, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." Yes, God's word when ingested fills the belly of your soul. It nourishes for the temporary and for the eternal. Jesus tells us in John 6 v. 35, "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." Happy indeed are the people that believe in him. Eternal life in Heaven is a gift beyond imagination.

A - Application
Am I "tasting" Gods word on a daily basis?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Make me hungry for your "food".  Love Will

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Let God set up camp around you

S - Scripture
Psalm 34 v. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

O - Observation
We do not have a passive God. We have an Active God. When I think of encamp, I think of camping, which is setting up shop. Tents, Flies, picnic table with stove and dishes, clothes line. Its work to get it all set up. God is working for us. He is setting up camp around us. Camping has all the basics, all that we need, a place to stay and sleep, a place to eat, a place to hang our wet clothes. So it is with God. He has all our basic needs. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 v. 26, "Look at the birds of the air, They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Yes we are! Thus the campsite that surrounds us. Not a castle, but a campsite. We will face the elements, trial, but we will always be protected. 

A - Application
Am I letting God set up camp around me?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thanks for the campground. Thanks for surrounding me.  Love Will

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Ask the Holy Spirit to be in your life!

S - Scripture
Psalm 34 v. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

O - Observation
Seeking the Lord. This is a Good thing. Seeking God for eternal things is even better. Jesus encourages us to seek. He says in Luke 11 v. 9, "And I tell you, Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." If we seek for eternal things he will show you, give you them. He promises us this. The best gift to seek for, to ask for, is the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us this just a little later in Luke. Luke 11 v. 13, "If you then, who are evil (sinful) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask him?"

A - Application
How often do I ask for the Holy Spirit in my life?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Send the Holy Spirit into my life. Fill me with your presence.  Love Will

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Remeber how completely you are saved

S - Scripture
Psalm 33 v. 18-19 Behold, the eye of the Lords is on him who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from Death, and keep them alive in famine.

O - Observation
Savior - Forever and now. God loves those who love him. It’s important to recognize the importance of the order it’s presented. First our souls. We all have eternal life. It’s just where we will be spending it. Those that have their trust in Jesus as their savior will be spending eternity in Heaven. 1 Peter 1 v. 9, " As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls." Then Jesus wants to guard us, protect us in our current lives. Jesus said in Matthew 11 v. 28-29, "come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me. For I am gentile and lovely in heart and you will find rest for your souls.

A - Application
Do I realize how completely saved I am?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for saving me forever, and today.  Love Will

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Author of Life

 Author of Life

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE:

Acts 3:15 You killed the Author of Life, but  God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

O-OBSERVATION:

Peter makes an accusation against the crowd but we need to remember it’s also made against you and I. For we too have killed Jesus, not by literally hanging Him on the cross, but because ours sins necessitated His sacrifice. Isaiah 53:4 He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed. The best portion of Acts 3:15 is that in spite of the crucifixation, “God raised Him  from the Dead,” and it’s the fact that He is alive that makes Him “The Author of Life.” Furthermore we read in Romans6:4 We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life! Verse 5 goes on to say if we have been united in a death like His, we shall certainly be united

with Him in a Resurrection like His! Alleluia, “the Author of Life “indeed!

A - APPLICATION: 

That should change our attitude forever! No longer should we let fear consume our tomorrow’s. We know without a doubt that whatever the doctor says, whatever the pandemic fearmongers say in the news, God promises those who trust in Him Eternity with Him! Thank You Jesus, You are the Author of our life everlasting!

P - PRAYER: 

Gracious Father, You gave us Jesus, Your only Son to pay the price for my sin that I might spend eternity with my Jesus! Thank You Lord, there is none like You! In Jesus Name, Amen 

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Remember - You are being observed!

S - Scripture
Psalm 33 v. 13 The Lord looks down from heaven, he sees all the sons of men.

O - Observation
Nothing is missed. God is all knowing, all seeing, all perceiving. He knows when we lie down and when we get up. There's two important aspects of this fact. Both are personal to us. 1st, your own actions. God sees them. Jesus said in Matthew 12 v 36-37," I tell you, on the Day of Judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  The second point is, God sees what people do to you. We don't have to be consumed with Revenge if we have been done wrong. God will address it. Romans 12 v. 19. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Revenge is mine, I will repay says the Lord."

A - Application
Do I realize I'm being observed? Does that change what I do?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Knowing that your watching me lets me know that you haven't left me.  Love Will

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Seek God's counsel

S - Scripture
Psalm 33 v. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of this heart to all generations.

O - Observation
God's wisdom is forever. God's wisdom hold true from generation to generation. It’s a huge fallacy for people to say that the Bible is old fashioned and outdated. It’s based upon the fact of Love and relationships.  This is a consistent strand in every generation. God's message of Love is Powerful and rewarding. Acts 20 v.32, "And now I command you to God and to the word of his grace, which is ABLE TO BUILD you up and to give you the INHERITANCE among all who are sanctified."  God's word, God's council has been around since the start of time. John 1 v. 1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God." Knowing all this, why wouldn't we seek God's counsel for our problems?

A - Application
Am I seeking God's counsel? Am I studying his wisdom?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thanks for the bible. Love Will

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Pause to recognize how Amazing God is!!!

S - Scripture
Psalm 33 v. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord, let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 

O - Observation
Complete Amazement! What God has done is indescribable. Mizzou just got a $7 million dollar grant to study how plants can help in medicine. God figured that one out on the 4th day, two days before man was created. The whole world is amazingly connected, woven together. Its amazing. Sun rises, sun sets. Amazing. Grand Canyon, Alps, Arctic, Jungles. Amazing. The complexity of the eye - amazing. Watching a baby grow from inception to adulthood - amazing. Having the world spin exactly the same (24 hours) for hundreds of centuries - amazing. Gravity to keep us on the ground - Amazing!  Wow!!!

A - Application
Really? How can one not say God created the earth?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You are an amazing God.  Love Will

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Recognize the Power of God's Word

S - Scripture
Psalm 33 v. 6  By the word of the Lord the Heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.

O - Observation
The power of God's word. Think about it. Gods words, God's voice created everything we know. Genesis 1 v. 3, "God SAID, 'Let there be Light". Genesis 1 v. 6, "And God SAID, 'let there be heaven." Genesis 1 v. 9, And God SAID, 'Let their be earth.'  We could do the whole 1st chapter of Genesis. It all revolves around what God said. Amazing Power. And to think, we hold this power in our own hands. - The Bible. Which is God's word. Hebrew 4 v. 11, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edge sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intention of the heart."

A - Application
How am I using God's word? Do I recognize the power that it has?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for all those words written, translated and printed  so that I can use it.  Love Will

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Be surrounded by God!!!

S - Scripture
Psalm 32 v. 10 Many are the pangs of the wicked; but steadfast love surrounds him who trusts in the Lord.

O - Observation
Surrounded by God. Now that is comforting. We are covered on all sides, physically and spiritually. Isaiah 12 v. 2, " Behold, God is my salvation; I will TRUST and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation." Trusting IN God, knowing that Jesus died and rose again for our sins surrounds us with his love. It’s not to say we have it on easy street, but we can live our lives in confidence in knowing what the end game result is. We win. We go to heaven. John 16 v. 33, "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of Good cheer, I have overcome the world."

A - Application
Where is my trust? Am I allowing myself to be surrounded by God?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for surrounding me with your love.  Love Will

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Take advantage of the Protection of God

S - Scripture
Psalm 32 v. 7 Thou art a hiding place for me, thou preservest me from trouble; thou dost encompass me with deliverance.

O - Observation
Triple protection. Having a relationship with Jesus is a relationship of security. A hiding place from your enemies. If you dig deep into the Bible and follow God's wisdom, it will protect you from yourself. Our sinful nature has a way of leaving us exposed. Which leads to danger and trouble. John 3 v. 17, "For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be SAVED thru him." Jesus sole mission was to deliver us, to save us. He does this by taking our place for our sins. All we need to do is believe in him.

A - Application
Am I taking advantage of the protection of God?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for protecting me.  Love Will

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Gifts

Gifts

Guest Blog By Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: 

1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administrating God’s grace in it’s various forms.

O- OBSERVATION: 

As I listened to Pastor Tim’s message on 4/11, talking about how God blesses the use of the gifts He has given us when we are open to His Spirit’s leading, I thought of this verse. God actually calls us to use the gifts He has bestowed on us to further His Kingdom wherever He has placed us. God gives us gifts for a purpose, His purpose! Look around our church and you will see people using their gifts to the glory of God. From our Pastor to those greeting in the entrance, from those leading worship to those teaching Sunday School, all are using their gifts to make AIC who she is, the body of Christ. 1 Cor.12:13,14 For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether  Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and all were made to drink of  one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member  but of many.

A - APPLICATION: If You or I have a Spiritual Gift from God, He urges us to use it for His Mission and for His Glory. I believe each of us is in this particular place at this time to serve God and each other and to bear fruit for His Kingdom in this place. God is the author of every good and perfect gift, hence it should be used to accomplish His purpose!

P - PRAYER: Gracious Father, You have given each of us special gifts to use for Your Glory and to further Your Kingdom.

By the power of Your Spirit, lead us to serve You with all we are and have. In Jesus Name, Amen

Confess your Sins to God

S - Scripture
Psalm 32 v. 5 I acknowledge my sin to thee, and I did not hid my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgression to the Lord'; then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.

O - Observation
The power of confession. Recognizing that we sin, that we have done wrong, and then confessing it to God is liberating. God after all is all knowing. So he's waiting for you to come to him. He's waiting  for you to have a personal relationship with him. He wants to forgive you. Numbers 14 v. 18, "The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression." That is the great news. God is slow to anger. He will NOT carry a grudge, he will NOT think anything that I have done is too gross or too dirty to forgive. After all, I am his. God was willing to send his Son to die for Me!
 
A - Application
Do I confess my sins to God? Do I believe that he forgives me?

P - Prayer
Jesus, I am far from perfect. Thank you for forgiving me.  Love Will

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Be Strong in the Lord

S - Scripture
Psalm 31 v. 24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.

O - Observation
Be strong in the Lord!! Be courageous for the Lord. I love this verse. Its a reminder for me on how to live my life. Flashback to the time when Joshua was getting ready to lead the Israelites into the promised land. A land full of many enemies. What did God tell them? Joshua 1 v. 9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you where ever you go." Armed with this knowledge and fact, the Israelites did amazing things with the help for God in conquering the promised land. The same God that was there for Joshua is there for us. Being strong and courageous for the Lord is a great mindset to be in.

A - Application
So... Am I really strong and courageous for the Lord?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to not waiver in my commitment to Love you. Help me to be strong and courageous.  Love Will

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Don't be afraid to cry to Jesus

S - Scripture
Psalm 30 v. 2 O Lord, My God, I cried to thee for help, and thou hast healed me.

O - Observation
Healing. Pain and comfort. Our God, (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is here to comfort us. To heal us from the sin in our lives. The Best medication ever is Jesus. We are reminded in John 16 v. 33, "In this world you will have tribulation, but, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Whatever we are facing, Jesus has overcame it. Again in Isaiah 49 v. 13, "Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth O mountains into singing. For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted." With healing comes joy! Jesus heals not only the body but more importantly the soul. Now that is worth rejoicing over!!!

A - Application
Am I seeking healing from the Great Physician? Jesus?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You know my bodily and spiritual afflictions. Heal me. Love Will

 

Be Battle Ready!!!

S - Scripture
Psalm 28 v. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so am I helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

O - Observation
Battle ready. Being in the Lord, makes us ready to face the problems of this world. Having faith in Jesus is like strengthening your core. If your core is strong everything else flows from it. Having faith in Jesus is like a shield. It also provides protection. In talking about the armor of God, Ephesians 6 v. 16 shows the importance of the shield. "Besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one." By putting your faith in Jesus you simply can't go wrong. But, how do I put my faith in Jesus. Discipline yourself to reading God's word daily. Meditate. Pray. Strengthen your core. Lift your shield.
 
A - Application
Am I battle ready? Am I strengthening my faith in Jesus?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to grow strong in my faith in you.  Love Will

Don't live Life Afraid!!!

S - Scripture
Psalm 27 v. 1  The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

O - Observation
No Fear! That was a popular phrase in the early 2000's with shows like Fear Factor. Contestants had to do crazy stunts for money. Living our lives as Christians is a lot like that show. Following, living your life as a Christian will bring you in direct conflict with the world. James 4 v. 4, "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." Who's against us is further clarified in Ephesians 6 v. 12b, "principalities, powers, world rulers of this present darkness, and spiritual hosts of wickedness." We have nothing to fear with God on our side.

A - Application
Am I afraid of living my life as a Christian?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You are my light and salvation, whom shall I fear?  Love Will

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